spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Share Posted 3 November , 2012 We start our journey with a 1 night stop-over in Arras to pay our respects to my Great Uncle Edward Thomas Bush, at the Feuchy British Cemetery........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 ....and a visit to Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 The memorial records the 34,739 missing in the battles of Arras, Vimy Ridge, the Scarpe and those of Arleux, Bullecourt and Hill 70 of 1917...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 ....as well as the RFC, RNAS and RAF memorial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 Although off topic, a visit to the Mur des Fusilles is a must. Plaques commemorating the 218 patriots shot by the Germans between 1941/44. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 The following morning we leave Arras, on our way to Verdun. As we near our final destination, we make a short diversion to the Butte de Vauqouis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 The top of the hill was once the village of Vauquois. As a strategic OP, the Germans occupied the village from 24th September 1914 and fortified it. After numerous attacks, the French finally gained a foothold in early March 1915. The resulting mine warfare completely destroyed the village. Restoration of tunnels and trenches are still on-going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 There is very little colour on this drab landscape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 A short drive, and we arrive at the ruins of Montfaucon monastry, a German OP, now sitting in the shadow of the American monument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 The American monument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 Ive just hit 6 months of 'no smoking' but the previous 30yrs had taken its toll by the time I had reached the last step!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 Then on to the American Meuse-Argonne Cemetery. 14,246 men lie buried within the grounds, with a further 954 commemorated in the wings of the Chapel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Lancashire Fusilier Posted 3 November , 2012 Share Posted 3 November , 2012 We start our journey with a 1 night stop-over in Arras to pay our respects to my Great Uncle Edward Thomas Bush, at the Feuchy British Cemetery........ Hope you enjoy what is obviously a great trip, excellent photos. Thanks for posting. Regards, LF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 By late afternoon, we reach our destination and poor Mrs. Shiny Seventh is taken ill. Being the caring, loving husband that I am, I went off to Mort-Homme on my own . After about 10 minutes, I wished I really was a caring, loving husband and stayed at the hotel with her! A pretty spooky place when your on your own and the light is fading. In response to Nivelle's appeal, 'They did not pass'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 Another area of intense fighting, Mort-Homme (Dead Man) was to lose 10 metres in height on its southern summit due to the German bombardment. This included the complete destruction of the village of Cumieres. This monument is to the French 40th Division which fought here between April and June of 1916. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 Thanks Leo, Im glad you are enjoying it. A long awaited trip, and well worth the visit. Even with the forestation in the area, it is still possible to appreciate the destruction that took place around Verdun. Regards Sean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 The memorial to the destroyed village of Cumieres. At this point, I crossed path's with an equally mad French lad trying to find any remains of the village. With his limited English and my very limited schoolboy French, we decided to look in opposite directions to each other for any remains. I opted for the bridge towards the Champneuville road and slipped off to find the Gallwitz tunnel on one of Christina Holstein's walks, only to draw a blank. Luckily for me, I was carrying her 'walking Verdun' book and realised too late that it had been blocked up some years ago!! We really were loosing the light by this time, so I headed back to my car. As I drove away, I noticed my new French mate still crashing around in the forest, on a fools errand! Luckily, he did'nt recognize me at the cemetery in Douaumont the following day. Or, he did, and chose to ignore me for running out on him . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 3 November , 2012 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2012 Verdun, to be continued........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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